About the Augmented Standard Tuning

The 'Augmented Standard' tuning for Guitar is a fascinating twist on the familiar standard EADGBe, offering a rich and expansive sonic palette. As its name suggests, it modifies the standard tuning to create new harmonic possibilities, moving away from purely standard voicings.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning immediately presents a sophisticated and open sound. The changes to the 3rd and 2nd strings transform the open strings into a beautiful D major 9th chord with an E in the bass (Dmaj9/E). The open strings resonate as E-A-D-F#-C-E, creating a lush, ambient, and almost jazzy texture right out of the box. This makes it incredibly inspiring for songwriting, fingerstyle, or ambient soundscapes where a rich, sustained harmony is desired without complex fretting. Chords that might typically require intricate fingerings become readily available or take on new characteristics. For instance, the open Dmaj9/E chord is perfect for intros or drone-like passages. Experimenting with standard chord shapes will yield entirely new voicings, encouraging creative exploration beyond typical major and minor triads.

Technical Analysis

Starting from standard EADGBe tuning:

• Strings 6 (low E), 5 (A), 4 (D), and 1 (high E) remain unchanged.
• The 3rd string, normally G, is lowered by 1 semitone to F#.
• The 2nd string, normally B, is raised by 1 semitone to C.

The resulting open tuning is E2-A2-D3-F#4-C4-E4. The key alterations are the G to F# (minor second down) and B to C (minor second up). These subtle shifts profoundly alter the intervallic relationships across the middle strings, creating the distinctive Dmaj9/E voicing on the open strings. The interval structure from the low E is: Root (E), Perfect 4th (A), Perfect 5th (D), Major 7th (F# - relative to the D), Minor 9th (C - relative to the D), and Octave (E).

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Augmented Standard' tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitones to F#. Please be careful when tuning strings.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitones to C. Please be careful when tuning strings.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

Note: Tuning down 1 semitone and up 1 semitone are minor adjustments and typically safe for standard string gauges. Always proceed with care and use a reliable tuner.

The 'Augmented Standard' tuning sets your guitar strings to the following notes:

• 6th String (Lowest): E2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: F#4
• 2nd String: C4
• 1st String (Highest): E4